Earth Hour

Excerpts of an interview (fictional) with a reporter, covering Earth Hour 2009 on Sat 28th March.

Q: Are u aware of the Earth Hour event held last Saturday??
A: Yes

Q: Did u participated in it?
A: Yes & proud of it

Q: How do u spend the hour?
A: We switched off all lights at home & went to Subang Parade to have dinner & waited for the completion of one hour.

Q: What's the comments of your other friends on this event?
A: Some were very enthusiastic on this & encouraging others to join in. Some thought this was just an useless publicity stunt. Some just don't bother.

Q: Why do they think like that?
A: Apparently the argument is about what one hour of saving electricity can do to help save the Earth. Others probably just being ignorance of what's goin on out there...

Q: What is your thought about this then??
A: This is not about an event on saving electricity. This is about creating awareness of the current environmental issues happening in our Mother Earth, which will affect us at the end of the day. We're sending a message saying if every single one of us play a small part in helping the environment, it's can be worthwhile & make a BIG difference if we see from the larger picture. Whether it's issue of global warming, deforestation, depletion of ozone layer or even dumping of materials, it's important to know that we dun need to be Barack Obama to get our message across & that ordinary people like you and me can make a difference if we play our part.

Q: What's your comment on the Malaysians' response in general about safeguarding the environment?
A: Basically, we're just being ignorance & don't care of the complications. Governmental regulations (which are not being fully adhered to) are partly to be blamed. In the name of development, people has taken advantages of the loose implementation to their advantages. Besides, the awareness of the current environmental issues are lacking in schools - supposely the place of nurturing the future generations. How do u expect the younger peeps to help safeguarding the environment when they dont even know what is global warming all about??

Q: What's your hope for the people?
A: For the educators to go back to the basics to help create a civic minded society. Everybody know throwing rubbish everywhere is wrong but most people just dont' bother. Those days during my primary school days, we were made to listen about creating a clean environment, almost on daily basis by the principal (whom I respect till today) & it's compulsory for everybody to spend 10 minutes cleaning the designated area in school before starting class. The authorities, especially at local council level should be more strict with themselves on the implementation of regulations & not bowing to demands. If that place is a designated "green lung", then maintain it & ensure it still remains one over times.

Thanks.